Which radiographic pattern is more typical of bacterial pneumonia?

Which radiographic pattern is more typical of bacterial pneumonia?

• A. Diffuse interstitial infiltrates
• B. Diffuse patchy nodular infiltrates
• C. No consolidation
• D. Lobar consolidation with air bronchograms

Answer: (D)

Bacterial pneumonia typically fills the alveoli with inflammatory exudate, producing a dense, often focal opacity that can involve an entire lobe. Because the airways themselves remain patent, the air within the bronchi stands out against the surrounding dense consolidation, creating air bronchograms. This combination—dense lobar consolidation with visible air-filled bronchi—is the radiographic pattern most characteristic of bacterial pneumonia. Other patterns, like diffuse interstitial infiltrates, are more common with viral or atypical pneumonias; patchy diffuse nodular infiltrates can reflect bronchopneumonia or hematogenous spread; and no consolidation would not be typical of bacterial pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia typically fills the alveoli with inflammatory exudate, producing a dense, often focal opacity that can involve an entire lobe. Because the airways themselves remain patent, the air within the bronchi stands out against the surrounding dense consolidation, creating air bronchograms. This combination—dense lobar consolidation with visible air-filled bronchi—is the radiographic pattern most characteristic of bacterial pneumonia. Other patterns, like diffuse interstitial infiltrates, are more common with viral or atypical pneumonias; patchy diffuse nodular infiltrates can reflect bronchopneumonia or hematogenous spread; and no consolidation would not be typical of bacterial pneumonia.